Volume 43, Issue 7
DVRPC Board Discusses Infrastructure Bill
The 2021 Annual Board Retreat was held on December 8 and focused on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). DVRPC Board, Regional Technical Committee (RTC), and staff members heard from federal and state transportation officials about opportunities and priorities for our region.
Charles Small, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Transportation, explained how the IIJA is the largest amount of funding ever authorized by a surface transportation bill. Mr. Small believes that the electric vehicle charging program will be a flagship program, and will be the easiest and fastest way for people to see the benefits of the bill. He also highlighted the Reconnecting Communities program and how equity is a priority.
Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, Commissioner of Transportation, New Jersey Department of Transportation, noted that we should focus on advancing projects that are “shovel-worthy” not just “shovel-ready.” This allows for more time and thoughtfulness to pick the right projects. The bill also broadens the definition of infrastructure, to include broadband access, better sewer systems, and clean water, and we should look for opportunities to better connect these systems and investments.
Larry Shifflet, Deputy Secretary for Planning, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation identified safety, equity, and electric vehicles as key focus areas. Mr. Shifflet also highlighted the many grant opportunities that will be available through the IIJA, and the increase in capital funding for roads and transit.
Erich Zimmerman, Deputy Director, National Association of Regional Councils, spoke about regionalism and what the bill means for metropolitan planning organizations in terms of both formula funding and new grant programs. Following the speakers, Board members participated in small group discussions about how the bill will impact Greater Philadelphia and DVRPC’s work.
Comment on Work Program by January 10
DVRPC is holding a 30+ day public comment period until 5 PM on January 10, 2022 for the Draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Unified Planning Work Program. This document outlines all of the federally funded planning projects for the nine-county region from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. The Work Program is developed annually by the DVRPC Board with its planning partners to reflect the region’s short-range planning needs.
See the public notice for information about submitting a comment. To see what we’re currently working on, and to view the Draft Work Program, visit www.dvrpc.org/WorkProgram.
Travel Options Program Seeking Project Ideas
DVRPC has launched the next Travel Options Program (TOP) funding round. A mandatory online information session for interested applicants is on January 12 at 2PM.
TOP funds creative and practical projects that will reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on the region’s roadways - a concept known as Transportation Demand Management (TDM). The program will fund planning and implementation projects that support the goals, outcomes, and strategies established in A New Route to Better Travel for All: The Regional TDM Plan. Your project must address a TDM issue and solution, with some type of measurable results.
Want to learn more? Visit the TOP webpage and attend the mandatory information session. To submit an idea, you will be required to fill out a short Expression Of Interest (EOI) form by January 24, 2022 by 5PM. If your idea is selected, you will be asked to submit a more detailed proposal by March 9, 2022.
FY 2023 TCDI to Open on February 1 for Eligible PA Applicants
DVRPC will open the next Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI) funding round for eligible applicants located in DVRPC’s five Pennsylvania counties on February 1. TCDI is a competitive grant opportunity for local governments, transportation management associations (TMAs), and transit agencies to support smart growth initiatives that implement the Connections 2050 Plan for Greater Philadelphia. Up to $1.2 million may be available. A major change to this program from years past is that the local match is no longer required. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend an information webinar on February 14th.
In addition, on January 18th, DVRPC will be releasing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for all consultants who wish to bid and conduct TCDI studies on behalf of project sponsors. Information will be posted on the Doing Business with DVRPC webpage. An informational webinar will be held on January 31. For more information, contact Karen Cilurso at kpcilurso@dvrpc.org.
New Tool to Identify LEP Populations
The Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Threshold web map was created to better identify LEP populations, and evaluate DVRPC's efforts to provide meaningful access as part of the Limited English Proficiency Plan, FY20 analysis. LEP populations are those individuals who speak English less than “very well.” This new tool includes specific tabs for the top five most spoken languages by LEP persons in our region: Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian, and Korean.
The web map is a great tool for nonprofits, government entities, and for profit organizations. It can be used to increase access to information for LEP persons, expand services to LEP communities, and enhance grant applications.
If you need any DVRPC product in another language, fill out a translation request through our product search or contact DVRPC’s Office of Communications & Engagement at public_affairs@dvrpc.org.
Bicycle LTS Web Map Update
DVRPC recently launched a new Bicycle Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) web map. This regional screening tool helps identify and rank roads where bicycle facility improvements would have the greatest local and regional connectivity benefit to the low-stress bicycle network.
Staff collected feedback from users about ways to improve the tool, and created a new custom version. It includes new features like:
- Additional context about the analysis via a scroll story;
- More flexible, user-friendly map in which to explore the data;
- Updated connectivity analysis to account for the stress induced by riding a bike up a steep slope; and
- A set of results weighted by the proportion of populations of interest under Title VI and environmental justice in the surrounding area, which encourages planners to be more intentional about incorporating equity into bicycle facility prioritization efforts.
Explore the updated web map.
FY 2022 TIP for New Jersey Approved
The FY 2022 Transportation Improvement Program for New Jersey (NJ TIP) recently received federal approval, and the final document is now posted online. The TIP is federally required for the region to be eligible to spend federal transportation funds and must cover a period of at least four years. It includes the agreed-upon list of priority transportation projects for Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Mercer counties, including the cities of Camden and Trenton.
The NJ TIP includes 134 projects that will advance over the next four years (FY22-FY25): 85 highway projects, three State-DVRPC funded highway projects in the DVRPC Local Program, and 46 transit projects. Funding in the TIP totals $2.11 billion - that includes $1.345 billion for projects primarily addressing the highway system, and nearly $765 million for the NJ TRANSIT (about $681 million) and DRPA/PATCO (about $84 million) transit systems.
See the NJ TIP interactive map and documents here.
Camden Health Element Wins Planning Excellence Award
DVRPC’s Camden Health Element received an Outstanding Plan Award from the New Jersey chapter of the American Planning Association. The Health Element serves as a component of the City of Camden’s Master Plan and was adopted by the City of Camden Planning Board in April 2021.
The plan promotes a healthy environment by addressing public health issues that have major intersections with planning. According to the announcement from APA-NJ, the City of Camden is “taking a novel planning approval that embraces the opportunity to incorporate health into its Master Plan, and ultimately into its policies, programs, and physical spaces.”
Upcoming Online LTAP Classes
The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) provides technical information and expertise to help municipal governments use transportation funds more effectively, improve road maintenance, and increase roadway safety. Classes are held by Pennsylvania and New Jersey LTAP programs, but are open to any municipality.
Upcoming online classes:
Traffic Control Coordinator Refresher
January 18, 2022 (8:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Winter Maintenance 101
January 11, 2022 (8:00 am – 12:00 pm)
Visit Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation to see the 2021 schedule of LTAP courses in New Jersey.
Visit PennDOT's LTAP website to view the course descriptions and register. For any questions, contact Linda McNeffer at lmcneffer@dvrpc.org or 215-238-2872.
DVRPC maintains a calendar of events, workshops, and conferences hosted by our partners and related to planning for Greater Philadelphia. Visit our Partner Calendar to learn more.